Fishing Derby to be held June 4

Cave Run Kid’s Fishing Derby to be held June 4

By Portia Williams - portiawilliams@civitasmedia.com

The fourth annual Cave Run Kid’s Fishing Derby will convene Saturday, June 4, at Cave Run Park in Moorehead, Kentucky. This free event is full fishing excitement for children ages one to 15 who are accompanied by an adult and no fishing license is necessary to participate.

Tom Timmerman of the Department of Fish and Wildlife said they are expecting a huge turnout for the Cave Run Kid’s Fishing Derby.

“For the last couple of years we’ve had well over 500 kids attend the Cave Run Kids Fishing Derby at Cave Run Park in Moorehead. Even a couple of years ago we had 700 kids and that is just kids. That is not covering the number of adults that help,” Timmerman said. “We are looking for 1,000 to 2,000 people here that morning of the fishing derby. So we have been very successful as of late and anticipate that for this year.”

Held at the Minor E. Clark Fish Hatchery on KY Highway 801 South, children are invited to join in the fun. With three ponds open for fishing, participants will have the opportunity to reel in stringers full of channel catfish, rainbow trout and even trophy sized large-mouth bass.

Gary Greene, one of the volunteers for the derby, said it is grand opportunity for children to experience the outdoors.

“We have a fish-cleaning station where we will clean their fish and give them a bag of batter,” Greene said. “We have been doing that for single mothers that bring their kids that may not have the resources for someone to clean their fish for them and that was our original purpose. Hopefully this will get kids away from the Xbox’s. Events like the derby allow them to enjoy the outdoors, instead of just sitting around playing video games and watching television.”

Fishing Derby will begin with registration starting at 6 a.m. on June 4, and three ponds opening for fishing from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Youngsters should plan to bring a fishing rod, tackle and a cooler for keeping their catch fresh, as well as lawn chairs to sit on.

A variety of fishing baits will be provided as supplies last and there will be a limited number of fishing poles available for children who need to borrow one. Volunteers will be on hand to clean and filet each child’s catch at no charge and there will be free food, games, displays and prizes. Every child participating will also receive a goody bag and a free T-shirt, according to Greene.